Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A leader system for time synchronizing, comprising: an interface configured to receive a time standard; and a processor configured to: determine whether a time jump is necessary in response to the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause pausing of a collection of sensor data; provide an indication to unregister one or more follower devices from a leader device, wherein the indication to unregister one or more follower devices from the leader device comprises closing a network socket to which the one or more follower devices are connected and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; and cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; and time jump a leader device time in response to the time standard.
A leader system for time synchronization in sensor networks addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate time alignment across devices when a time standard requires adjustment. The system includes an interface to receive an external time standard and a processor that evaluates whether a time jump is needed to align the system's internal clock with the standard. If a time jump is required, the processor first pauses ongoing sensor data collection to prevent data corruption during the adjustment. It then signals follower devices to disconnect by closing their network sockets, ensuring they do not receive or process outdated or incorrect timing information. The processor overwrites the sensor data buffer to clear any partially collected or invalid data before the time jump, then restarts data collection with the corrected time. Finally, the leader device's internal clock is adjusted to match the received time standard. This approach ensures that all devices in the network synchronize their operations without data loss or inconsistencies, maintaining reliable time-dependent sensor operations.
2. The leader system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard, wherein the time standard is a GPS time standard or a cell network time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary, cause overwriting a sensor data buffer.
The technology domain involves a leader system used for synchronizing time across distributed sensors or devices. The system addresses the problem of maintaining accurate time synchronization when a time jump is required, such as during clock adjustments or synchronization failures. The leader system includes a processor that receives a time standard, which can be derived from GPS or a cellular network time source. Upon determining that a time jump is necessary, the processor initiates the overwriting of a sensor data buffer to ensure that the sensor data aligns with the new time standard. This process helps maintain data integrity and consistency across the system by preventing outdated or mismatched sensor data from being used after a time adjustment. The overwriting of the sensor data buffer ensures that only the most recent and accurate time-synchronized data is retained, reducing the risk of errors in subsequent processing or analysis.
3. The leader system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; and receive a registration request from the one or more follower devices.
A system for synchronizing time across multiple devices in a distributed network addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate timekeeping when a time adjustment or "time jump" is required. The system includes a leader device with a processor that receives a time standard and determines whether a time jump is necessary. If a time jump is required, the processor initiates a series of actions to ensure data consistency and proper synchronization. First, the processor causes the overwriting of a sensor data buffer to discard outdated or invalid data. Next, it restarts the collection of sensor data after the time jump to ensure new measurements are taken with the corrected time. Additionally, the processor receives a registration request from one or more follower devices, allowing them to synchronize with the updated time standard. This process ensures that all devices in the network maintain precise time alignment, which is critical for applications requiring coordinated operations, such as industrial automation, telecommunications, or distributed computing. The system dynamically adjusts to time changes while minimizing disruptions to ongoing data collection and synchronization processes.
4. The leader system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; receive a registration request from the one or more follower devices; and send a registration acknowledgement message in response to the registration request from the one or more follower devices, wherein the registration acknowledgement message includes a current leader device time.
This invention relates to a leader-follower system for synchronizing time and sensor data collection across multiple devices. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate time synchronization and data consistency when a time jump occurs, such as during a leap second adjustment or a system reset. The leader device manages time synchronization for one or more follower devices, ensuring that all devices operate on a consistent time standard. The leader device includes a processor configured to receive a time standard and determine whether a time jump is necessary. If a time jump is required, the processor initiates a series of actions to maintain synchronization. First, it overwrites a sensor data buffer to clear outdated or inconsistent data. Next, it restarts the collection of sensor data after the time jump to ensure that new data is recorded with the corrected time. The leader device then receives registration requests from follower devices and sends a registration acknowledgement message, which includes the current leader device time. This ensures that follower devices can synchronize their clocks with the leader device, maintaining consistent timekeeping across the system. The system is particularly useful in applications requiring precise time synchronization, such as distributed sensor networks, industrial automation, and telecommunications.
5. The leader system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; receive a registration request from the one or more followers; and in response to determining that a follower device from which the registration request is received is on a white list, send a registration acknowledgement message to the follower device determined to be on the white list, wherein the registration acknowledgement message includes a current leader device time.
A system for managing time synchronization in a distributed network involves a leader device that coordinates timekeeping for one or more follower devices. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate time synchronization across devices, particularly when time adjustments or jumps are required. The leader device includes a processor configured to receive a time standard and determine whether a time jump is necessary. If a time jump is required, the processor initiates a series of actions to ensure synchronization. First, it overwrites a sensor data buffer to clear outdated data and restarts the collection of sensor data after the time adjustment. This ensures that subsequent data collection aligns with the corrected time. The leader device then processes registration requests from follower devices. If a requesting follower device is on a predefined whitelist, the leader sends a registration acknowledgement message that includes the current leader device time. This allows the follower device to synchronize its time with the leader, maintaining consistency across the network. The system ensures reliable timekeeping and data integrity in distributed environments where precise synchronization is critical.
6. The leader system of claim 1 , wherein the indication to unregister one or more follower devices from the leader device comprises closing a network socket to which the one or more follower devices are connected and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; cause restarting the collection of sensor data; receive a registration request from the one or more follower devices; determine whether the follower device from which the registration message is received is on a white list; and in response to determining that a follower device from which the registration request is received is on the white list, send a registration acknowledgement message to the follower device determined to be on the white list, wherein the registration acknowledgement message includes a current leader device time obtained in response to the time jump.
A system for managing synchronization and registration of follower devices in a networked sensor data collection environment addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate time synchronization and secure device registration. The system includes a leader device that coordinates timekeeping and device management for one or more follower devices. To unregister follower devices, the leader device closes a network socket to which the follower devices are connected, effectively terminating their connection. The leader device receives a time standard and, when a time jump is necessary, performs several actions: it overwrites a sensor data buffer to clear outdated data, restarts the collection of sensor data to ensure accuracy, and processes registration requests from follower devices. The leader device checks if a requesting follower device is on a whitelist, a predefined list of authorized devices. If the device is whitelisted, the leader device sends a registration acknowledgement message, which includes the current leader device time updated after the time jump. This ensures that only authorized devices can re-register and that they receive the correct synchronized time, maintaining system integrity and data accuracy. The system enhances security and reliability in distributed sensor networks by enforcing strict time synchronization and controlled device registration.
7. A method for time synchronizing, comprising: receiving a time standard; determining, using a processor, whether a time jump is necessary in response to the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: causing pausing of a collection of sensor data; providing an indication to unregister one or more follower devices from a leader device, wherein the indication to unregister one or more follower devices from the leader device comprises closing a network socket to which the one or more follower devices are connected and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; and cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; and time jumping a leader device time in response to the time standard.
This invention relates to time synchronization in distributed systems, particularly for devices that must maintain precise time alignment. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate timekeeping across multiple devices when a time adjustment (time jump) is required, such as due to a change in a reference time standard. The solution involves a method to handle time jumps while minimizing data loss and maintaining synchronization between leader and follower devices. The method begins by receiving a time standard, which serves as the reference for synchronization. A processor evaluates whether a time jump is necessary based on this standard. If a jump is required, the system pauses sensor data collection to prevent corrupted or misaligned data. The leader device then signals follower devices to unregister by closing their network socket connections, effectively disconnecting them. The processor also overwrites the sensor data buffer to clear any outdated or inconsistent data. After the time jump is applied to the leader device's time, sensor data collection resumes. This ensures all devices are synchronized to the new time standard without retaining misaligned data. The approach minimizes disruptions while maintaining accurate timekeeping across the system.
8. A computer program product for time synchronizing, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: receiving a time standard; determining, using a processor, whether a time jump is necessary in response to the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: causing pausing of a collection of sensor data; providing an indication to unregister one or more follower devices from a leader device wherein the indication to unregister one or more follower devices from the leader device comprises closing a network socket to which the one or more follower devices are connected and wherein the processor is further configured to: receive the time standard; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; and cause restarting the collection of sensor data after the time jump; and time jumping a leader device time in response to the time standard.
This invention relates to time synchronization in distributed systems, particularly for handling time jumps in sensor data collection. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate time synchronization across multiple devices, especially when a significant time adjustment (time jump) is required due to a new time standard. The solution involves a computer program product that manages time synchronization by pausing sensor data collection, unregistering follower devices from a leader device, and performing a controlled time jump. The system receives a time standard and determines if a time jump is necessary. If so, it pauses sensor data collection, unregisters follower devices by closing their network socket connections, and overwrites the sensor data buffer. After the time jump, the leader device's time is adjusted according to the new standard, and sensor data collection resumes. The leader device also handles the time standard reception and buffer overwriting. This ensures all devices remain synchronized without data corruption during the transition. The approach minimizes disruption by coordinating the unregistration of followers and managing sensor data buffers before and after the time jump.
9. A follower system for time synchronizing, comprising: an interface configured to receive an indication for registering or unregistering from a leader device; and a processor configured to: receive a time message from the leader device; determine whether a time jump is necessary in response to the time message; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause pausing of a collection of sensor data; time jump a follower device time; and unregister from the leader device in response to an indication from the leader device to unregister including by detecting when a network socket has been closed by the leader device; and provide a registration message to the leader device requesting registration, wherein the time message is obtained from a registration acknowledgement message sent by the leader device in response to the registration message.
The invention relates to a time synchronization system where a follower device maintains synchronization with a leader device. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate timekeeping in distributed systems, particularly when network disruptions or time discrepancies occur. The follower system includes an interface to handle registration and unregistration requests with the leader device and a processor to manage time synchronization. Upon receiving a time message from the leader device, the processor determines if a time adjustment (time jump) is needed. If so, it pauses sensor data collection, adjusts the follower device's time, and unregisters from the leader device, either upon explicit instruction or when detecting a closed network socket. The follower then sends a registration request to the leader device, which responds with a registration acknowledgment containing the time message. This ensures the follower device can re-synchronize after disruptions while maintaining data integrity by pausing sensor operations during time adjustments. The system is designed for robust time synchronization in environments where network reliability or time consistency may vary.
10. The follower system of claim 9 , wherein the time message from the leader device includes a current leader device time and wherein the follower device time is time jumped to the current leader device time.
The invention relates to a time synchronization system for distributed devices, specifically addressing the challenge of maintaining accurate time alignment between a leader device and one or more follower devices in a network. The system ensures that follower devices adjust their local time to match the leader device's time, minimizing discrepancies that can disrupt coordinated operations. The leader device periodically transmits a time message containing its current time to the follower devices. Upon receiving this message, a follower device compares its local time with the leader device's time. If a discrepancy is detected, the follower device performs a time jump, instantly adjusting its local time to match the leader device's time. This synchronization process ensures that all devices in the network operate with a unified time reference, which is critical for applications requiring precise timing, such as distributed computing, financial transactions, or industrial automation. The system may also include additional features, such as error handling to manage communication delays or network interruptions, ensuring robust synchronization even in unreliable environments. The time synchronization mechanism is designed to be efficient, minimizing computational overhead while maintaining high accuracy. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where devices must coordinate actions based on a shared time reference, such as in distributed databases, IoT networks, or real-time control systems.
11. The follower system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to: unregister from the leader device in response to an indication from the leader device to unregister; and provide a registration message to the leader device requesting registration.
A distributed computing system manages leader-follower relationships between devices to ensure reliable communication and data synchronization. The system addresses challenges in maintaining consistent state across multiple devices, particularly when network conditions or device availability changes. A follower device in the system monitors its connection to a leader device and dynamically adjusts its registration status to maintain synchronization. When the leader device instructs the follower to unregister, the follower terminates its current registration and sends a new registration request to the leader. This ensures that the follower can re-establish communication if the leader becomes unavailable or if network conditions require reconfiguration. The system may also include mechanisms for the follower to detect leader failures and initiate re-registration automatically. This dynamic registration process improves fault tolerance and ensures continuous data consistency across the distributed system. The follower device may use various protocols to communicate with the leader, including heartbeat messages or status updates, to verify the leader's availability and trigger re-registration when necessary. The system is particularly useful in environments where devices frequently join or leave the network, such as IoT deployments or cloud-based distributed applications.
12. A follower system for time synchronizing, comprising: an interface configured to receive an indication for registering or unregistering from a leader device; and a processor configured to: unregister from the leader device in response to an indication from the leader device to unregister, wherein unregistering from the leader device comprises detecting when a network socket has been closed by the leader device; provide a registration message to the leader device requesting registration; receive a registration acknowledgement message sent by the leader device in response to the registration message; determine whether a time jump is necessary in response to the registration acknowledgement message, wherein determining whether a time jump is necessary in response to the registration acknowledgement message comprises comparing a current leader device time obtained from the registration acknowledgement message to a current follower device time; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: cause pausing of a collection of sensor data; time jump a follower device time.
A time synchronization system for coordinating time between a follower device and a leader device in a networked environment. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate time synchronization between devices, particularly when network connections are unstable or when devices periodically disconnect and reconnect. The follower device includes an interface to receive registration or unregistration requests from the leader device and a processor to manage the synchronization process. Upon receiving an unregistration indication, the follower device detects when the leader device closes the network socket, confirming the disconnection. To re-register, the follower device sends a registration message to the leader device and awaits an acknowledgement. Upon receiving the acknowledgement, the follower device compares the leader device's time with its own current time to determine if a time adjustment (time jump) is necessary. If a time jump is required, the follower device pauses sensor data collection, adjusts its internal time to match the leader device's time, and resumes normal operation. This ensures that the follower device's time remains synchronized with the leader device, even after disconnections and re-registrations. The system is particularly useful in distributed systems where precise timekeeping is critical, such as industrial automation, sensor networks, or financial transactions.
13. The follower system of claim 12 : wherein unregistering from the leader device comprises detecting when a network socket has been closed by the leader device; and wherein determining whether a time jump is necessary in response to the registration acknowledgement message comprises: comparing a current leader device time obtained from the registration acknowledgement message to a current follower device time; determining a time difference between the current leader device time and the current follower device time; and determining whether the time jump is necessary in response to the time difference exceeding a threshold value.
This invention relates to a follower system in a distributed time synchronization network, where a leader device provides a reference time to follower devices. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate time synchronization between devices, particularly when a follower device unregisters from a leader device and needs to determine if a time adjustment (time jump) is necessary upon re-registering with a new leader. The follower system detects when a network socket is closed by the leader device, indicating unregistration. Upon re-registering with a new leader, the follower receives a registration acknowledgement message containing the leader's current time. The follower compares this leader time to its own current time to calculate a time difference. If the difference exceeds a predefined threshold, the follower determines that a time jump is necessary to correct the discrepancy. This ensures synchronization accuracy when switching between leader devices. The system avoids gradual time drift by enforcing immediate corrections when deviations exceed acceptable limits. The threshold value can be adjusted based on system requirements for precision.
14. The follower system of claim 12 : wherein in response to determining that the time jump is necessary, the processor is configured to: cause overwriting a sensor data buffer; time jump the current follower device time to the current leader device time; and restart the collection of the sensor data.
This invention relates to a follower system in a distributed sensor network where devices synchronize time and sensor data collection. The problem addressed is maintaining accurate time synchronization and data consistency between leader and follower devices when a time jump is required due to significant time discrepancies. The follower system includes a processor that monitors the time difference between the follower device and a leader device. When the time difference exceeds a threshold, the processor determines that a time jump is necessary. In response, the processor overwrites the sensor data buffer to clear any outdated or inconsistent data, adjusts the follower device's time to match the leader device's current time, and restarts the collection of sensor data. This ensures that the follower device resumes data collection with synchronized time and avoids data corruption. The system may also include a communication interface for receiving time synchronization signals from the leader device and a sensor data buffer for storing collected sensor data. The processor may further implement algorithms to detect time discrepancies and trigger the time jump process. This invention improves the reliability and accuracy of time-synchronized sensor data in distributed networks.
15. A method for time synchronizing, comprising: receiving an indication for registering or unregistering from a leader device, wherein unregistering from the leader device comprises detecting when a network socket has been closed by the leader device; receiving a time message from the leader device; determining whether a time jump is necessary in response to the time message, wherein determining whether a time jump is necessary in response to the registration acknowledgement message comprises: comparing a current leader device time obtained from the registration acknowledgement message to a current follower device time; determining a time difference between the current leader device time and the current follower device time; and determining whether the time jump is necessary in response to the time difference exceeding a threshold value; and in response to determining that the time jump is necessary: causing pausing of a collection of sensor data; and time jumping a follower device time.
A method for time synchronizing between devices in a network addresses the problem of maintaining accurate time alignment among distributed systems, particularly in scenarios where devices may join or leave a synchronized network. The method involves a leader device managing time synchronization for follower devices. When a follower device registers or unregisters from the leader, the leader sends a time message to the follower. Unregistering is detected when the leader closes a network socket. Upon receiving the time message, the follower compares its current time to the leader's time to determine if a time jump is necessary. If the time difference exceeds a predefined threshold, the follower pauses sensor data collection and adjusts its time to match the leader's time. This ensures synchronized timekeeping across the network, which is critical for applications requiring precise timing, such as sensor networks, distributed computing, or real-time systems. The method dynamically handles device registration and unregistration while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
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October 27, 2020
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